In situ modular fastening system

Abstract

A modular fastening system which is integrally molded as part of a plastic member which is being fastened to another member is disclosed. The fastening system comprises a locking member and a movable positioning means for selectively permitting the locking member to move between locked and unlocked positions. The position means is connected to the plastic member during the molding process and easily broken away during the assembly process and positioned in the plastic member to complete the fastening process. Because the positioning means is molded as an integral part of the plastic member, no loose fasteners or additional pieces are required.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An integral modular fastening system for connecting a plastic member to a frame, said fastening system comprising: a locking member integral with and extending generally perpendicular from said plastic member and forming a slot for engaging said frame between said locking member and said plastic member, said locking member having a first angular surface and being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;   a support member extending parallel to and spaced apart from said locking member; and   means for positioning said locking member in said locked position and prohibiting said locking member from moving from said locked position towards said unlocked position; said positioning means disposed between said locking member and said support member.   
     
     
       2. The fastening system of claim 1 further comprising means for urging said locking member towards said locked position. 
     
     
       3. The fastening apparatus of claim 1 wherein said positioning means is molded as an integral part of said plastic member. 
     
     
       4. The fastening apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plastic member has an aperture located adjacent to said locking member; and said positioning means comprises an anvil disposed in said aperture, said anvil extending generally perpendicular to said plastic member adjacent to said locking member, and being movable from an open position to a closed position whereby said locking member can move between said locked position and said unlocked position when said anvil is in said open position and movement of said anvil from said open position to said closed position prohibits said locking member from moving from said locked position towards said unlocked position.   
     
     
       5. The fastening apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for locating said anvil in said open position. 
     
     
       6. The fastening apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for locating said anvil in said closed position. 
     
     
       7. The fastening apparatus of claim 4 wherein said locking member has a first channel extending generally parallel to said locking member for guiding said anvil. 
     
     
       8. The fastening apparatus of claim 4 wherein said support member is located adjacent to said aperture. 
     
     
       9. The fastening apparatus of claim 7 wherein said support member has a second channel extending generally parallel to said support member, whereby said second channel cooperates with said first channel for guiding said anvil. 
     
     
       10. The fastening apparatus of claim 4 wherein said anvil is disposed in line with said aperture in said plastic member and attached to said plastic member by a breakaway means which is broken prior to insertion of said anvil in said slot. 
     
     
       11. The fastening apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plastic member has a U-shaped channel which extends around said locking member and completely through said plastic member, said channel forming a deflectable tab member, such that the load necessary for said locking member to deflect between said locked position and said unlocked position is reduced. 
     
     
       12. A fastening apparatus for connecting a plastic member to a frame said fastening apparatus comprising: a locking member extending generally perpendicular from said plastic member and forming a slot for engaging said frame between said locking member and said plastic member, said locking member having a first angular surface and being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, said locking member further having a first guiding channel extending the length of and generally parallel to said locking member;   a support member spaced apart from said locking member and extending from said plastic member generally parallel to said locking member, said support member having a second guiding channel opposing said first guiding channel and extending the length of and generally parallel to said first support member;   said plastic member having an aperture extending completely through said plastic member and disposed between said first and second guiding channels; and   an anvil detachably molded as an integral part of said plastic member, said anvil disposed in line with said aperture of said plastic member and said first and second guiding slots, said anvil movable from a first position to a second position such that said locking member can move between said locked position and said unlocked position when said anvil is in said first position and movement of said anvil from said first position to said second position prohibits said locking member from moving from said locked position toward said unlocked position.   
     
     
       13. An integral modular fastening system for connecting a plastic member to a frame, said fastening system comprising: a locking member integral with and extending generally perpendicular from said plastic member and forming a slot for engaging said frame between said locking member and said plastic member, said locking member having a first angular surface and being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position; and   means for positioning said locking member in said locked position and prohibing said locking member from moving from said locked position towards said unlocked position;   said plastic member having a U-shaped channel which extends around said locking member and completely through said plastic member, said channel forming a deflectable tab member such that the load necessary for said locking member to deflect between said locked position and said unlocked position is reduced.   
     
     
       14. An integral modular fastening system for connecting a plastic member having an aperture to a frame, said fastening system comprising: a locking member adjacent to said aperture of said plastic member integral with and extending generally perpendicular from said plastic member, said locking member forming a slot for engaging said plastic member, said locking member having a first angular surface and being movable between a locked position and an unlocked position;   an anvil disposed in said aperture, said anvil extending generally perpendicular to said plastic member adjacent to said locking member, and being movable from an open position to a closed position whereby said locking member can move between said locked position and said unlocked position when said anvil is in said open position and movement of said anvil from said open position to said closed position prohibits said locking member from moving from said locked position towards said unlocked position; and   a support member extending generally parallel to and spaced apart from said locking member and located adjacent to said aperture.   
     
     
       15. The fastening apparatus of claim 14 wherein said locking member has a first channel extending generally parallel to said support member for guiding said anvil. 
     
     
       16. The fastening apparatus of claim 15 wherein said support member has a second channel extending generally parallel to said support member, whereby said second channel cooperates with said first channel for guiding said anvil.